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Fatal entrapment in a pool drainage system: a case report

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Abstract

Swimming pool suction injuries are rarely encountered in forensic medicine. Infants under 8 years of age are most frequently involved in such accidents with high risk of serious injuries and fatal consequences due to drowning. We report, for the first time, a case of a 13-year-old boy trapped at the abdomen by an uncovered suction drainage hole. External examination of the body revealed a round ecchymosis which had the same diameter as the pool drain. Post-mortem examination established that death had occurred due to drowning, possibly in combination with traumatic shock from the suction mechanism involving the intestinal loops. Furthermore, this case may be remarkable as it raises other medico-legal issues regarding the safety standards at swimming pools, including pool management and lifeguard attendance. Preventative measures are needed in order to make sure this sort of injury or death does not occur. Moreover, the awareness of the occurrence of these accidents should be increased.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Health Sciences, Section of Medical Forensic Sciences, University of Florence, Largo Brambilla 3, 50134, Florence, Italy

    Martina Focardi, Amalia Angelino, Beatrice Defraia & Vilma Pinchi

  2. UO of Legal Medicine, Azienda USL Toscana Centro, Empoli, Florence, Italy

    Edoardo Franchi

Authors
  1. Martina Focardi
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  2. Amalia Angelino
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  3. Beatrice Defraia
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  4. Edoardo Franchi
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  5. Vilma Pinchi
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Amalia Angelino.

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Focardi, M., Angelino, A., Defraia, B. et al. Fatal entrapment in a pool drainage system: a case report. Forensic Sci Med Pathol 15, 638–641 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12024-019-00127-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12024-019-00127-0

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